Gym rat
Gym Rat: Booty and the beat
November 4, 2010
Paola Loriggio
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
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I can step, I can cardio kickbox, I can even use those mini-trampolines that were so popular a few years ago — remember the “urban rebounding” craze of 2002? — but I definitely, definitely can't dance.
On my tour of Flirty Girl Fitness, a sleek and very pink women-only gym, the guide seemed sure I'd be up for Booty Beat, their signature cardio dance class. (For context: Their other signature class is pole-dancing.)
I spent the first five minutes wondering if I could follow the steps long enough to break a sweat. But after the first run-through, even I was able to keep up, if not gracefully.
There are 102 moves in the Booty Beat repertoire, all based on dance moves, says instructor Melissa-Jane “MJ” Shaw, a dancer, choreographer and theatre actress who helped create the program.
All steps have been “flirtified” with hip thrusts and names like “the Beyoncé” or “the Barbie girl turn”.
About two dozen moves are strung together in a routine the group repeats four to five times over the course of the class. That's what makes it a fitness class, instead of a dance class, Shaw says. “Traditional dance classes have a lot of intricacies, but not a lot of repetition,” making them slower-paced and hard to follow, she says.
Booty Beat “is not too different from a high-low (impact) aerobics class, except dance is fun,” she adds.
It's good, steady cardio, with less stop-and-go than your average aerobics class. Continuous moderate exercise, as it's called, won't get you as buff as higher-intensity intervals, but it still does your body good.
More importantly, the class is a lot of fun once you stop thinking and just do it. There's a little too much butt-slapping for my taste — yes, you only slap your own — but halfway through the class, no one seems to notice anymore.
“I think that if you sign up at Flirty Girl, you know what you're getting into,” Shaw says, laughing, in a post-class interview. Besides, she says, “it's fairly PG-13.”
Booty Beat is one of Flirty Girl's most popular classes: it took me three tries to get in. There's a waiting list. The cap of 20 ensures you can gyrate without invading each other's personal space, but keeps the class crowded enough that you can hide in the back row.
I've never felt the need to join a women-only gym, but I was grateful for it in this class. The absence of men desexualized some pretty racy moves.
Flirty Girl wins top marks for having enthusiastic yet low-pressure sales staff. Most classes are available on a drop-in basis on top of class packages and memberships. Staff didn't pressure me to upgrade, sign a contract or hand over my credit card information. For that alone, I would come back.
Booty Beat serves up moderate cardio disguised as a dance party, perfect for those who don't like exercise, or athletes who need a break from tougher workouts.
It's not quite intense enough to make up the core of a training program, but it'll sure make cross-training more fun.
Paola Loriggio is a freelance writer in Toronto. She owns more workout clothes that real ones.
FLIRTY GIRL FITNESS
Find it: 462 Wellington St. W., www.flirtygirlfitness.com
Day pass: $20, class packages available
Class: Booty Beat (trademarked)
Description: Cardio dance with Flirty Girl signature moves
Time: Hour-long class on a Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Offered several times during the week.
Music: Dance remixes of semi-recent hits from Britney, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, etc.
Volume: Club loud
Instructor: Melissa-Jane Shaw. Peppy and chipper without crossing into Richard Simmons territory.
Difficulty: Requires rhythm and coordination. Definitely works up a sweat, assuming you keep on top of the routine. Two short breaks; total dance time is about 45 minutes.
Who is it for: Women who want exercise to feel like a bachelorette party.
Ambience: Boutique hotel run by the Pussycat Dolls (before they became a band). Lots of pink and girl power.
Change room: Simple and clean, but limited space. Only a couple of shower stalls, so stake your claim fast or leave smelly. Hair dryer, flat iron, brushes and products provided, as well as clothes iron and board. Free towels. Half-lockers only.
Who goes there: Women, mostly young, usually with friends. Cute workout outfits are the norm, often from the Flirty Girl line.
Grade: A-
Verdict: Once you stop feeling silly and just follow the steps, it's good, steady cardio – and fun. Athletes will find the class provides good cross-training, but it's not quite intense enough for a main workout.